Ares was walking down the Halls of War when Aphrodite appeared. "Hey Bro, what's up?"

"I'm kinda busy Sis. So just say what you have to say and leave." He said.

"Wow! What's with all the hostility? I just came to see how my favorite brother's doing." She put on an innocent smile.

Ares could sense that his sister was up to something. And he was quite sure that he didn't want anything to do with it.

"I'm fine Dite! Now leave me. I've got things to do, places to be." He said. Aphrodite giggled and asked "Like Athens perhaps?"

Ares eyed his Sister suspiciously. "That's none of your bussiness Sis." He growled and disappeared without saying another word.

She knew he was going to see Gabrielle. Her big bro had definitily devellopped a high interest in the Bard. Especially after Warrior Babe died. That's why she had that talk earlier with him. She doesn't want Gabrielle to get hurt in the end. Not after everything she went through these past few years. But she had watched the two of them together and they'd actually make a cute couple. They just had to give it a chance and though she liked Xena a lot, with her around it would never have come this far. Gabrielle was even warming up to him. It was quite unbelievable. She would keep an eye on both of them. After all, She was the Goddess of Love.

Gabrielle awoke with a smile on her face. She had had some nice dreams. Morpheus had been really kind to her. She wondered why.. Oh well, she wasn't going to complain. It had been a long time since she slept so well. She got dressed and walked downstairs to get something to eat. After eating the last piece of chicken and slice of bread on her plate, she went outside to get some fresh air. It was another beautiful morning. There already were a lot of people in the marketplace. She decided to have a look around. Yesterday, she was too tired to look at everything. There was just so much to see. It was then that she noticed a young woman who was selling some really nice scarfs. A beautiful emerald green scarf caught her eye. She walked over and tried it on. It was made of the finest silk. She loved it but it would probably cost her a fortune. She couldn't effort it after paying already too much for a room. She sighed deeply.

"Looks great." She looked up and found herself staring into a pair of familiar brown eyes. She smiled. "Yea, It does." She began to pull it off but Ares stopped her.

"Keep it." He said. "Ares I can't effort such an expensive scarf." He said nothing and gave her a small smile. "You don't have to.. Consider it as a present."

She looked wide eyed at him. Had Ares just given her a present? This was something you didn't see everyday.. Ares paid the woman. "But..Ares..I can't..Why?" She stammered as she couldn't believe it.

He laughed. "Oh Gabrielle.. Can't I give a woman a present? It looks really good on you.. You must know by now that I don't only appreciate good warriors but also beautiful women." Gabrielle blushed a little. He thinks i'm beautiful? "Uhm.. Thanks.. But I really can't accept it.."

"What are you affraid of? That i'll want something in return? I won't.. I promise.. On my Godhood." He brushed a strand of hair away from her face.

He had the most incredible chocolate brown eyes. She could almost drown in those deep brown pools of his. "Hm..Ok then.." She placed a kiss on his cheek. "I appreciate it.." He just nodded and smiled. He really started to like her. He never thought that this would happen.. In the past it had always been Xena instead of Gabrielle. To him she was just the annoying little blonde who got in his way. The one who kept Xena away from him. Not anymore. Besides, she had proved her capabilities. She was a very skilled warrior. She handled those sais with great expertise.

"Well i'm going to have another look around and I think i'll be leaving then, back on the road.. So, I guess i'll see you around some time.. And thanks again." She said as she gazed up at him. Ares reached out to touch her cheek. He gently caressed it with the back of his hand. "Yeah..See you around." He flashed her a smile and then he disappeared, leaving Gabrielle alone and rather stunned by his actions.

Aphrodite was working out the final details of her party. She had invited some other Goddesses she knew and also Cupid, Psyche and Hermes. She was wondering whether to invite Ares or not. Mainly because Gabrielle would be there too. But maybe it would be a great upportunity for them to get to know eachother in a different way. Xena would hate her for doing this but Ares had changed after being turned mortal for 3 times now. Even Warrior Babe would have to admit that. He was still a bad boy, but he didn't have the same coldness or bloodlust anymore. He was the God of War with a soft streak. And that was one hell of an improvement! Yeah, she would invite her big bro too. It would be fun!

"Ar. I need a word with you."

Within a few seconds he appeared in her temple. Ugh..He hated Pink. "You called me Sis?"

"Yeah I did. Have a seat!" She patted the spot next to her on the couch. Ares walked over and sat down next to Aphrodite.

"So what's the emergency?" Not knowing what to expect from his sister. Hopefully not another lecture.."Well big bro, i'm having a party soon and I was wondering if you would like to come?" A party? She called me here to invite me to some stupid party of hers. Typical.

"Dite, you know I'm not really into your kind of parties."

"Don't worry Ar. It won't be all mushy and stuff. I promise you. Besides I've invited Gabrielle too. I think it'll be nice for her to see another familiar face at the party except for me and Cupid. " She smiled at him. Maybe his sister was right. It couldn't be that bad.. And it would be nice to see Gabrielle again. Maybe get a little closer to her. "Ok..i'll be there.." He said with a deep sigh, still not sure if it was the right thing to do. Dite hugged him. "Great Bro!" A half smile was plastered on his face. "All right, i'm outta here.. All this pink is really getting to me. Bye Sis." He shivered at the thought and then he flashed out. Aphrodite was smiling in approval.

Gabrielle had set up a camp for the night and was fixing her something to eat. It had been 2 days now since she left Athens. She wasn't sure where to go next. She was thinking more about Ares and the strange way he was acting. Was he up to something? It had to be. Though he did give her a present. And quite a nice one too.. She simply adored the scarf. She didn't know what to think! If only Xena were here.. Her spirit used to be around, but after a couple of months it had faded. She knew Xena would always watch over her but still it wasn't the same anymore.. Even if she would be here, you couldn't go hug a ghost.. But she would be fine.. She had to believe that.

All that thinking had left her unaware of the group of thugs that were closing in on her. Before she even noticed, one of them grabbed her from behind. She was startled at first but quickly composed herself. She freed herself and kicked him in the stomach. She grabbed her sais and started to fight them off one by one. What she didn't know was that Ares was watching her from out of a tree. He loved to watch her fight. It made his desire for her undeniable. But he wasn't going to let her have all the fun.

There were only 3 thugs left. "All right, whose next?" Before she could make a move, 2 of them were hit by a fireball. She looked at the third one with a menacing look. He decided the best thing he could do right now, was to run like hell. He was quickly followed by the rest of the gang. She looked around. Yep, they were all gone.. "Ares you can come out now." A blue flash appeared next to the tree he'd been sitting in.

"Gabrielle." He greeted her.

"You know. I could have handled it without your help." He came to stand in front of her. "I know that. You aren't just a little girl anymore. That's one of the things I started to notice about you for the last couple of years. But I couldn't let you have all the fun." He winked at her. She smiled and shook her head. "Well.. I guess thanks would be in order, not that I really needed it.. But thanks anyway.." He grinned "Hey, no problem. You can always count me in for some ass kicking." Gabrielle laughed and said "I should have guessed that." She walked back to the fire and sat down.

"I was just about to eat something and then get some sleep." He looked at the fire and then at Gabrielle.

"That's ok. I'll catch up with you later." He smiled mysteriously and disappeared. He really had that disappearing act down to an art. She smiled at the now empty spot and started to eat. There was definitely something going on. If she could only figure out what. But at least she didn't have a bad feeling about it, not anymore.